We all know Vietnam is an absolute legend when it comes to street food, and if you want to make the most of your time (and stomach space), you’ll want to head out with an in-the-know local to pick out the best of the best of Saigon’s street food. Put your eating pants on and follow us!
Our Saigon food tour kicks off with some authentic local appetizers such as chao muc (a dry squid porridge) and xa xui (Cantonese barbecued pork). Learn how Chinese food has been integrated into Vietnamese cuisine as you inhale the spicy flavours of the street stalls and watch local life unfold before your eyes in the heart of Saigon.
Our immersion into local life continues as we make our way to the corner of Nguyen Cong Tru and Calmette for a unique street food called banh bo banh tieu, which recalls memories of many Saigoneses’ childhoods.
This spot is also a good place to learn about Calmette and Yersin, the two disciples of Pasteur who greatly contributed to the health health system in Vietnam. The Pasteur Institute in Saigon is the first one outside of France, and was set up by Calmette, and the one in Nha Trang was started by Yersin – who was also the founder of the University of Medicine of Hanoi and discovered the bacteria that causes Black Death. This is why these three names are among the last remaining French names in HCMC.
On the way to our next food stop, we will pass by Chua Ba Thien Hau, which means the Goddess of the Sea. This former Chinese community house honours Chinese immigration to Saigon through the different periods of Cantonese, Teochew and Hakka.
It wouldn’t be a true local experience without enjoying coffee the way Saigonese coffee aficionados do on a daily basis. We’ll head to a popular local hem of Saigon to enjoy a cup. We’ll show you the local style of taking your coffee and you’ll feel right at home!
Next up on our Saigon food adventure is another one of the city’s iconic street food dishes: ha cao (Chinese-style dim-sum), bo bia (Saigonese spring roll) and bo cuon mo chai (barbecued beef meatballs). These dishes are some of the most popular and preferred dishes by southerners, and you can find them everywhere, from street stalls to fancy restaurants. What makes them so beloved is that the ingredients are so strikingly simple, yet the tastes and flavours are truly unforgettable (we promise).
We’ll then head to Bui Vien to pick up a Vietnamese fried banana for dessert, a new version of the traditional version that is crazy popular with locals.
We’ll cap off our Saigon street food tour with, what else, street beer! At this street beer stall we’ll outfit you with a cold Saigon beer and the chance to mingle with locals – not a bad way to end the evening, is it?!
We’ve reached the end, but your local guide is happy to provide tips for exploring the area further, or assist you in getting a taxi back to your accommodation.
Points of Interest
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Ho Chi Minh City Museum of Fine Arts
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Đường Đề Thám
- Walking tour with 5 Food Stops and 2 Drink Stops
- Taste authentic local appetizers Hu Tieu Bo Kho (Beef stew with noodle)
- Find out the local style of taking your coffee
- Stop for a cold Saigon beer with peanuts and rice crackers
- Taste the iconic street food dishes: barbecued beef meatball and fried rice flour cake with egg
- Stop for a unique street food called banh bo banh tieu
- Get tips on what else to see, do and eat during your stay
- Discover the best of Saigon’s street food
- Learn how Chinese food has been integrated into Vietnamese cuisine
- Taste some deep-fried tofu with lemongrass or salted egg yolk with green chili
- Join a Friendly Local English-speaking guide
- Additional Food and Drinks
- Gratuities
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
Join the locals for a meal in Ho Chi Minh City during a 2.5-hour stroll led by a knowledgeable guide. Try the delectable dishes that have put Southern Vietnamese cuisine on the map, from ‘banh mi’ sandwiches to favoured rice dishes, sufficient for both dinner and sweet treats. Sip on Saigonese coffee, beer, and street-side treats from local sellers as you wander through markets and coffee joints during the sunset. The group size is capped at 12 people, thus ensuring a bespoke experience within a small cohort of fellow gastronomes.
- Please inform your local guide about any food allergies you may have. Unfortunately, we cannot cater to vegetarians or vegan travellers.
- Minimum age is 6 years
- Please note that this tour visits independent, family-owned businesses whose operating schedules and menus may change. Therefore, street food venues and local dishes often vary; your local guide will make any final adjustments on the spot.
- Small group of a maximum of 12 people.
- Travellers 18+ must show proof of COVID-19 vaccination. Children 6-17 must present a negative COVID-19 test (PCR or lateral flow) conducted maximum 72 hours prior, proof of recovery dated up to 9 months or proof of vaccination. View full policy at urbanadventures.com/vaccine.
- We reserve the right to change both the route and places visited within the tour. Food inclusions are subject to change, dependent on availability on the day
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
